Page 65 of Mended Hearts

“I slept in here the two nights you were gone. I wanted to feel close to you.” He looks down. “I thought I lost you.”

“Pretty close,” I admit, pulling the blanket back. I gesture toward his side. “Yes, you can sleep in your bed.” I know that isn’t the answer he wants, but it’s all I’ve got.

We both crawl in, me faster than him. Lying in the dark, the silence gives me peace as I drift asleep. The bed begins to shift, and I feel Brian inching closer my way.

“Can I hold you?” His hand reaches out for mine. I hate that he has to be so hesitant with me when he used to be more dominant. But his actions have switched our dynamics. I don’t reply. I just scootch closer to him, tucking myself against his side, and pretend.

THE BED IS empty, and the sun is shining brightly. I fling the blanket back, worrying that I’m late for work. I grab my phone off the side table and let out a sigh of relief that it’s only Monday and the salon is closed. I walk into the bathroom and decide it’s now time for a shower and to brush my teeth since I bypassed both last night.Gross.

A sound I’m unfamiliar with fills the house as I walk into the kitchen. Brian and his mom laugh while they dance. It’s veryendearing for me to see because I remember it being something they did when Brian was younger. His dark eyes shine brightly, and he looks so carefree. I just want to bottle this moment and feeling for us all to refer back to when facing bleak times.

“Good morning, Echo.” Paula beams. “Want to join in?” she asks, holding an outstretched hand.

I lean back against the wall and shake my head, smiling. “No, I’d much rather enjoy this view. It’s good for my soul.”

Through all the bad times, moments such as these are what we have to hold onto to keep going and fighting for the ones we love.

Chapter Forty-Four

DUSTIN

December 2014

It’s been two months since I last saw Echo. I thought about writing to her but needed to get some things figured out first. First, I’ve had to come to terms with the fact that I’m a dad and figuring out what to do with that. Then I realized that I needed to get my shit figured out, which led me to closing on my very first home today.

I never desired to be a homeowner until I knew I had a son. I stand on the porch of Echo’s childhood home and unlock the door to what I hope to be our home one day. No matter what, I want it to be a safe place for her if she ever needs to get away. And worst-case scenario, it’s a home I can have for when my son comes to visit.

Either way, I have a son.

I walk through the office opening and decide it’s time. I need to finally acknowledge the situation. When I have so many thoughts going on in my mind, it’s so hard for me to hone in on them. So I write the only logical things that come to me and call it good.

Echo,

I have a son…tell me everything, please.

Love, Dustin

Then I walk out of the house and make a list of items I need to complement all the painting that’s been done. I make my way the short distance downtown, stopping at the post office first for envelopes and stamps. While I’m there, I pull her business card out and address her letter before tossing it in the outgoing mail. Then I drive to the hardware store. While I’m in there buying the tools necessary to pull all the carpet up, I stop in the back to have a duplicate key made for me and request a special inscription on it.

“WHY ARE YOU doing all of this?” my mom asks, standing on my porch. I kind of bought this house behind everyone’s back. I didn’t want to chance someone talking me out of it.

“Because I need my own space.”

“We’ve barely had you back. Is living with us so bad?”

I laugh. She doesn’t want me to answer that honestly.

“I’m barely down the street, Ma. Quit tripping.”

“Yes, hon. Let’s go home and let Dustin get back to work.” My dad urges. Always the sensible one of the duo.

“No, I refuse to leave until he opens up to us. He always keeps things in and never talks to us. I want to know what’s going on. You don’t just buy your old girlfriend’s home for no reason.” She all but laughs and it makes me want to kick her in the ankle. Mydad gives me a sympathetic look, apologizing for his unruly wife standing all defiant with her arms crossed.

“Fine.” I let out an exasperated breath. They need to know. Might as well get it out now. “You’re right. There is something.”

“Everything okay?” my dad asks.

“Everything is better than okay.” I grab the top of his arm, reassuring him. We walk inside, and I direct them both to sit on the couch. “I need you both to take a seat. There’s some news that I recently found out about and need to share with you.”

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